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Stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic? Want to help? Here's where to send money, donations

“Our community has proven time and time again that we are better together, and this collaborative spirit will once again prevail as we support our neighbors in need,” said Kristi Knous, president of the Community Foundation.

Food Bank of Iowa

Michelle Book, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Iowa, told the Register last month that cash is the best thing to donate to the food bank rather than food items, because she can buy three cans of green beans for what a normal consumer would pay for one.

The food bank hopes to provide 16 million meals during the pandemic, and those who want to help can donate at give.foodbankiowa.org.

Des Moines Area Religious Council

DMARC has tweaked how it distributes provisions from its food pantries around the metro area, temporarily prohibiting large volunteer groups. It's also encouraging cash donations online rather than items, which would require volunteer labor to process.

Meals from the Heartland

West Des Moines-based Meals from the Heartland, which sends its food across Iowa and the globe, has canceled its meal-packaging events until at least the end of April. It's also asking for monetary donations, saying it desperately needs cash so food distribution can ramp up again once the pandemic subsides.

Goodwill of Central Iowa

Because of the virus, Goodwill stores across the metro have temporarily shuttered. Those retail sales make up about 80% of Goodwill's income, so the nonprofit is now soliciting monetary donations to keep going during the pandemic.

Goodwill will take your clothing and household items off your hands — after the virus has passed.

Hawthorn Hill

The homeless nonprofit has requested that donors drop off extra cleaning supplies at its Grand Avenue address in Des Moines. Giving online is another option.

Joppa

On its website, Joppa, which provides aid and housing to Des Moines' homeless population, said it's continuing to visit with homeless people around town. The nonprofit wrote that people wanting to help can donate money online or drop off supplies — toilet paper, hand sanitizer, water or tissues — at its office at 2326 Euclid Ave., from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Dress for Success Des Moines

Like Goodwill, Dress for Success, which provides business clothes to women starting a new career, had to temporarily close because of the virus. So anyone wanting to donate clothes should hold on until the virus passes. Anyone wishing to donate money can do so online.

Diocese of Des Moines

Interested donors can give to the diocese's COVID-19 relief fund on its website. The money will go toward people and families in need through Catholic Charities. Donations could go to Catholic schools and parishes in need, too.

Austin Cannon covers the city of Des Moines for the Register. Reach him at awcannon@registermedia.com or 515-284-8398. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Subscribe today at DesMoinesRegister.com/Deal.